Tag: Awareness
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Using Words to Listen to Silence
I’m currently reading this book, Ki-Asana Zen, written by my uncle, Vernon Kitabu Turner. Reading it, I am reminded how blessed I am for having mentors and that God is always looking out for me on my journey—mind, body, and soul. On my spiritual journey, I have never pursued anyone or anything apart from the…
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In the Shadow of Bullies and Hypocrites
Grief Will Make You Take Stock and Clean House Over the past few weeks, I have been doing a lot of reflection on my personal history in the Church and my relationship to my fellow human beings. A lot of it is in light of how the church treated Carlton Pearson. Ever since I went…
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A Black Santa for White Christmas
Picture this. It is Christmas 1977. My mom and dad are arguing. I am 2. Somehow I know that I shouldn’t understand what is happening. But, yet I do. The final threads in the fabric of our family are snapping. My father is leaving. As he heads for the door, I feel an invisible tether…
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Is Jesus Made Up?
Yes. Jesus is made up. Haha made you look. 😂 I’m talking about the name “Jesus” (Jeezuss) In response to a Facebook post I did someone said they wondered why some cultures (aka Latin influenced) feel comfortable naming their sons Jesus and others don’t. Here is my long answer. It is worth reading if you’re…
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Message From a Frustrated Former Pastor (Concerning Pauline Interpretations and Other Stuff)
Since I don’t go to a particular church right now, I sometimes visit different churches or listen to messages from different folks online. Today I came across a guy online giving a message out of 1 Corinthians. Sadly he was using it to “put women in their place” and talk about “weak men” who support…
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Counting It All As Loss: The Faithful Choice of Carlton D. Pearson
Ever since it was announced that Bishop Carlton Pearson was ill, people have been commenting on the implications of his legacy in the Christian Church. There have been debates and panel discussions, Youtube personalities have been throwing out vitriolic commentaries and random people were wishing ill of him as if it was earning them some…
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My 6 y/o’s Song for the World – Questions of Life
My little one is a force. Yesterday she decided that she wanted to make a song for the world and that I needed to “put it all over the internet today!” Being in a sensitive and tender space right now grieving my friend, I am trying to be mindful about not wasting opportunities to do…
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Grief is a Midwife
Grief is a midwife, giving birth to who we’d never be without loss’ seed.Realizing that you’ll never again be who you used to be makes room for who you are becomingSo let yourself weep. Be emptied of who you’ve beenBecause someone wiser, more capable, and more honest is waiting to emergeEverything you held back, waiting…
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A Black Guy and an Indigenous Guy Talk About Thanksgiving
If you are like me and my guest, Chickasaw Comedian Blake Pickens, your childhood education around the first Thanksgiving holiday was filled with stories of pilgrims, buckle hats, and happy Indigenous folks. This happened two years after my folks came to America for our “internships”. Since learning about the histories of our peoples, I have…
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Once a Pastor, Always a Pastor?
Whenever I describe myself as a former pastor, almost always, someone says, “once a pastor, always a pastor.” To which I usually respond with shrugged shoulders, and say something to the effect of, “I don’t know.” I’ve been trying to figure out what that statement means to folks––“once a pastor, always a pastor.“ Is that…
The Roofless Church 